Mice in your attic

No matter where you live, creatures surround you. You expect them in the great outdoors — and perhaps have come to accept that somewhat. But the closer the little critters are, the less comfortable you are. These scampering beasts are in the sewer, the woodpile and the shed. They live in your ivy and under your bushes. You may accept they are “out there,” but what if you knew they are above and below you as well? It is quite common for raccoons, mice, rats and other crawly creatures to live in the attic and walls of homes — including yours.

These scurrilous beasts find great creature comfort in your floor joists, your walls and even in your attic. Perhaps you have already heard the scratching sound of tiny little feet as they pitter-patter through your castle. As king or queen of your castle, you may not know how many mouths you are feeding. Worse yet, the creatures are rarely grateful for your unintended hospitality.

Critter culture

Attics and floor joists can be a true blessing to a mouse. They provide protection from the elements, are free from predators and are much cleaner than the mud caves that a mouse’s ruddy cousins live in. Best of all, they provide ready access to loose food in the pantry — or rotting cookies in a child’s sock drawer. Attics are like the high-rise critter condo for mice that enjoy the high life at your expense.

How to know they are there

Sometimes the little varmints will make things easy on you. When they think you’re away, the scratching begins. This is one of the dead giveaways that you have uninvited guests. Don’t think, however, that not hearing them means that your home is OK — most homeowners have no idea when their home is a condo for critters.

Want to know if you have mice? If you have missed the joy of hearing the giveaway scratching sounds, you have another option: head on up into the attic and look around. Furry guests will leave hallways and burrows that are easy to spot in the attic. In more infested attics, you will see mouse feces as well. Hallways on the surface of the insulation will be an inch or two deep, making the surface of the insulation look like a literal rat’s maze. Burrows will be one-inch diameter holes going down into the insulation, burrowing into places where no man has gone before.

The procedure for prosecution